Posts Tagged: Nail varnish

If you want fingernails that twinkle like fairy lights, glitter like tinsel and shimmer like a big fat bauble, then this Christmas I suggest you decorate your fingers with Nail Art!

The Nail Art range boasts a variety of colours, tools, textures and gems, all of which work together to create eye-catching 3D effects that will quite literally make your nails stand out. The full range costs between £2.50 and £9.95, and can be bought from Topshop, Selfridges, River Island, Accessorize, New Look and NPW.

If, like me, you’re a fan of doodling then you’ll delight with the Nail Art Party Pack. The kit contains a sparkly nail file, three glittery nail varnishes with built-in micro-nibs which you can use to design your own patterns, and a GEM WHEEL! (Yes, that actually excites me).

Nail Art Party Pack

Using Nail Art reminds me of waking up one Christmas morning when I was a kid to find three pots of sparkly nail varnish in my stocking, with which I then proceeded to decorate my nails in the most garish manner possible. Thankfully that nail varnish has long worn off, but the novelty of painting my nails hasn’t, and if the same is true for you then you’ll love Nail Art products.

As can be seen below, I’ve been experimenting with the Nail ArtParty Pack (£9.95), the Nail Art Glam Glitter Pens (£9.95) and the Nail ArtGem Wheel (£2.95). Though I should point out, the pink shade is by OPI (“I’m Indi-a mood for Love”), the caviar effect was created using Lilac Nail Candy by LCN, and beneath the mountain of blue hearts on my index finger is a fab multi-coloured, multi-layered nail lacquer by China Glaze (“It’s a trap-eze!”).

Nail Art, OPI, and China Glaze nail products

Despite the less than immaculate finish (in my defence, this was my first go) the Nail Artmicro-nibs are really easy to use. I applied the gems with my fingers, but I suggest you use a pair of tweezers as this will ensure precision and reduce potential mess.

Also, as you can probably see, too many jewels can make your nails look gaudy, so use sparingly otherwise it’ll look as if a fairy’s exploded all over your hands. I think the Nail Art Party Pack would make a lovely gift this Christmas for your little sister, your arty friend, or even for yourself! So, what are you waiting for? Get decorating!

The Nail Art Gem Wheel from NPW

Yesterfact: Nail polish originated in China around 3000 BC and it’s thought that people in India started decorating their nails with henna around the same time. There’s also evidence that manicures took place in southern Babylonia as far back as 4000 years ago!

Throughout December, kitchens everywhere are bursting with a vibrant mix of colours, flavours and aromas. Just as beauty counters everywhere are brimming with the latest eyeshadows, lipsticks and perfumes!

It’s hardly surprising then that Christmas, a holiday dominated by lovely grub and pretty gifts, should remind me of food’s relationship with beauty. Cosmetics and food share many common traits; from irresistible smells to striking colours, unusual textures to scrumptious tastes.

And even to this day, many beauty products are made with ingredients like castor oil. So, to celebrate food and beauty’s long, interrelated history, here are my top ten food-inspired beauty products this Christmas…

1. Evie Orange Mini Lipstick by Frontcover (£4.00)

If you’re after a dainty but delectable lippy, then look no further than Frontcover’s gorgeous range of mini lipsticks. The range boasts several stunning shades, most of which are named after food items! So whether it’s Salmon Roe or Buttered Popcorn, Apricot Candy or Cajun Pepper, you’re bound to find a colour to suit your taste…

Evie Orange lipstick by Frontcover

While each shade is lovely in its own right, I recommend keeping your eyes peeled for Evie Orange – a small lipstick with a big personality. This lipstick’s tangy hue delivers a vibrant punch, and looks lovely when accompanied with minimal or matching eye makeup; I personally like to team it with a subtle blend of Frontcover’s “Tempura”, “Fawn Skip” and “Choc Chip” eyeshadows for a tangerine-dream vibe. Have a look…

Evie Orange Mini Lipstick by Frontcover

2. Cherry Burst Mini Lipstick by Frontcover (£4.00)

Another favourite of mine from Frontcover’s range of mini lipsticks is the explosive Cherry Burst. It may be little, but this lippy is guaranteed to make a bold impression. The colour is pretty and playful, but it’s also downright daring. Indeed, Cherry Burst is not for the faint-hearted, but if it’s a seductive, fruit-stained pout you want, then this is definitely the shade for you.

Cherry Burst lipstick by Frontcover

3. Merry Berry Nail Lacquer by China Glaze (£8.95)

This nail lacquer has one fruity character! Like all China Glaze lacquers, Merry Berry contains China Clay as a nail hardener, which is ‘the same material that gives porcelain its shiny finish’. As a result, the lacquer doesn’t run, it doesn’t clump, and it doesn’t chip easily. It also comes with a thin, angular brush which makes it easy to apply. (thebeautypartnership.com)

Merry Berry nail lacquer by China Glaze

4. Champagne Kisses Nail Lacquer by China Glaze (£8.95)

Like a fine bottle of bubbly, Champagne Kisses is light, golden and sparkling. It dries evenly, catches the light beautifully, and (unlike many glittery nail varnishes) doesn’t look gaudy. Instead it looks soft, shimmery and delicate. Champagne Kisses looks great on your fingernails – especially while you’re holding a glass of moët! (thebeautypartnership.com)

Champagne Kisses nail lacquer by China Glaze

5. Berry Season Nail Lacquer by Art Deco (£9.50)

This lacquer is rich, elegant and absolutely gorgeous. It’s one of the loveliest nail varnishes I’ve ever tried. Berry Season is guaranteed to add a touch of sophistication to your look, and I think it’d make the perfect addition to any Christmas outfit.

Berry Season Nail Lacquer by ArtDeco

6. Berry Red High Performance Lipstick by Art Deco (£15.00)

With its vampish shade, Berry Red is the perfect way to give yourself a dark but feminine edge. This lip shade looks quite dramatic against pale skin, which is why I usually wear it during the evening. I do like to wear it in the daytime as well though – in which case I just reduce the severity of the look by limiting the amount I apply. Simples!

Berry Red lipstick by Artdeco

7. Million Dollar Sugar Scrub by Organic Surge (£32.00 / 400g)

I love this scrub for several reasons. Firstly, it’s enriched with pure orange and bergamot essential oils, meaning it smells divine. When I first opened the jar, I thought it smelled like Christmas! Secondly, the scrub has a soft but sugary texture which feels lovely when massaged into your skin.

Million Dollar Brown Sugar Body Polish by Organic Surge

And thirdly, the scrub is packed with pure plant extracts and organic brown sugar crystals, two ingredients which do a fantastic job of ridding your body of dead skin cells. After using this luxurious scrub just once my skin felt incredibly smooth – I think it’d be a great product to use when prepping your skin for fake-tan.

I tried out Nourishing Night Cream by Pukka Ayurveda just before going to bed the other evening. My skin quickly absorbed the cream and, as the aroma settled, I soon began to feel a mild, tightening sensation across my face. After sleeping on it, the next morning I woke up to find my skin in better condition!

Nourishing Night Cream by Pukka Ayurveda

My complexion felt softer and smoother, and I noticed a visible reduction in the fine lines across my forehead, which appeared to have ironed out. In addition to frankincense and pomegranate, this night cream also contains avocado – something which South American and Mexican women have used to moisturize their skin for the past 400 years. No wonder it worked so well!

I suffer from psoriasis but after just one use of this shampoo I noticed an improvement in the condition of my scalp. The shampoo has a lovely scent and leaves your hair feeling soft and looking silky, especially when followed up with Cosmecology’s Instant Hair Repair conditioner. (cosmecology.com, stockist number: 0800590094)

Hair Shampoo for Dry Hair by Cosmecology

10. Peel Skin Exfoliator by Cosmecology Paris, made with apricot and papaya (£6.70)

I adore this exfoliator! The apricot and papaya ingredients smell lovely and rid your face of dead skin cells – my face looked clearer and softer after use. Remember though, don’t use too much exfoliator when the weather’s cold as it can leave your skin exposed to the effects of harsh weather. Apply gently a couple of times each week for a bright complexion.

Peel Skin by Cosmecology

About

Blogger: Heledd Williams

Welcome to my blog, Yesterface! Dedicated to the beauty, origins and ongoing history of cosmetics, here at Yesterface I look at the way in which make-up style, cultural trends, and beauty products all adapt through the ages. I hope you enjoy the mix of interviews, articles and makeup tutorials, and I hope that Yesterface sheds new light on makeup's foundations!